FBC LaVergne

What to Expect

FBC La Vergne’s Statement of Faith

The Scriptures

We believe that the Bible is written by men divinely inspired; that it is truth without mixture of error; and that it is the standard by which all human conduct and creed should be tried.

And how from infancy you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:15-17

The True God

We believe that there is one, and only one true Living God; it is in that unity of the God-head there are three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24

“I and the Father are one.” John 10:30

The Fall of Man

We believe that man was created in holiness, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy state, in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners and are under condemnation of eternal ruin.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned Romans 5:12

The Way of Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace through the atoning death and bodily reserrection of Jesus Christ.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God Ephesians 2:8

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflictedl But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25

Justification

We believe that through justification the perfect righteousness of God is imputed to the believers in Christ Jesus.

Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Acts 13:39

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we hae peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

The Freeness of Salvation

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel, and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner but his own depravity and rejection of the gospel.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost “Isaiah 55:1

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Grace in Regeneration

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again through the work of the Holy Spirit.

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the trust, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. John 3:3

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Repentance and Faith

We believe that repentance and faith are inseparable graces wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God, and are essential steps in salvation.

“The time has come,” he said. ” The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

God’s Purpose and Election

We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; and that this is consistent with the free agency of man.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that hemight be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-31

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome ito the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11

Sanctification

We believe that Sanctification is a progressive process by which the believer is made partaker of God’s holiness, and that his process begins in regeneration; and that it is carried out in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always oveyed – not only in my presence, buy now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

The Perseverance of Saints

We believe that only real believers endure to the end, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 2 Timothy 1:12

A Gospel Church

We believe that a church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers bound together in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; and that Jesus committed the ministry of His Gospel to His churches.

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:41-42

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

We believe that Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Ghost, and on the authority of the New Testament Church; That baptism is a prerequisite to the Lord’s Supper and only such as have been scripturally baptized are proper subjects for the Lord’s Supper.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” Acts 8:36

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in th ename of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26

The Christian Sabbath

We believe that the First day of the week is the Lord’s Day, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes.

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. Acts 20:7

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:8

The World to Come

We believe that the last day Christ will descend from heaven and raise the dead; that a solemn judgement and separation will take place, and that His judgement will fix forever the final state of men in Heaven or Hell.

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11

and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Acts 24:15

This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous Matthew 13:49